Activities For Dogs Who Like Baths

Introduction

Some would say it’s uncommon for dogs to enjoy bath time, but if you happen to own a pup who loves the tub, the hose, or the pet wash station, then you know what we’re talking about. There are dogs in the world who leap and dance at the sound of running water. They can’t wait to be in the suds, feel their mom’s or dad’s massaging hands, and be rinsed clean. We’ve got some water-centered games to use before, during, and after your canine’s baths. They’re going to “dig” these so much!

Poppin' Prizes

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Any Day

Cheap

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Rubber duckies for dogs

Activity description

Yes! They make rubber duckies for dogs. In some stores, you’ll find a rubber ducky shape with a fun canine pattern on it. They’re ducks, but wait: they’re also pups! It’s weird, wonderful fun. The point of this game centers on the element of surprise. Your little soaked friend will wait with anticipation to see when the prize will surface and bob. And they’ll get the idea of the activity quickly. When the toy pops up, they’ll want to chase it and try to grab it. It’s fun for dogs of all shapes and sizes. They’ll really get into this, though, so if you own a larger pooch, you may want to play outdoors.

Step

1

Buy the bobbers

Head to your local store and buy some toys that float. We suggest rubber duckies because they’re classic for bath time, but you can purchase any bobber you like, of course. They’ll all do the job. You could even use pool noodles or any household object that will float, as long as it is safe for your pet to play with.

Step

2

The element of surprise

This will only work if you run the water deep enough for the toy to actually race up and float. You’ll hold the toy under water. Watch your dog’s eyes fill with anticipation. Let the rubber ducky bob up, and allow your pup to capture it. This can be even more fun for them if the water is full of suds and if they can’t see the tiny ducky rising to the top. Suddenly, it just appears above the bubbles.

Step

3

Challenge tip

After your pup has gotten the hang of things, to make the game a bit more challenging and fun, try this. Hold two rubber duckies underwater at the same time, one in each hand. Make your dog wait to see which one will bob up first. We recommend using a large tub or taking your dog out to the kiddie pool. This game can get wild. Make sure they don’t accidentally head-butt you!

Water Gun Fun

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Any Day

Cheap

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Small water guns

Activity description

If your puppy or older rescue loves water, then they’ll also probably love water guns, if we had to guess. They are pretty inexpensive, and you can pick them up when you’re out shopping at your local stores. They’re more than likely in the pool toy aisle, so spring and summer are the perfect seasons to stock up. You only need one water gun to play, though! This little game requires little effort on your part. You kick back and let that water gun do all the work. Your dog will surely love trying to catch that little stream of water zipping through the air.

Step

1

Annie get your gun

The first thing you want to do is make sure you get the right kind of water gun. You don’t need anything fancy for this game, and you’re not looking for an expensive super soaker extreme magic missile! You just want one of the simple, transparent, dollar store water guns. You don’t want to scare your dog. A little water will do just fine.

Step

2

Teaching moment

Show them how the water gun works. Let them know that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Shoot at the water first, and allow your pup to see the zipping liquid fall into the tub and ripple. They’ll get the idea. They’ll soon be glued to the line of water coming from the gun. They’ll try to catch it. It’s a fun time, and a great way to hydrate!

Step

3

Extra madness

For a little variation, try placing the water gun behind your back so that your doggo has no idea where the next squirt of water will come from. They’ll love the anticipation for sure! After a few seconds, whip out the water gun and pull that playful trigger. Alternate hands each time, of course. This will allow their brains to work a bit as they attempt to calculate which hand holds the exciting water.

Wind-Up Wonder

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Wind-Up Bath Toys

Activity description

More than likely, your pup loves to chase little critters. They see a jittery squirrel, slinky cat, or hippity-hoppity rabbit outside, and they go nuts with excitement. Their natural instincts kick in, and they want that spunky prey! They have a lot of energy for sure, and that doesn’t just disappear at bath time. If your dog loves spying quick-moving creatures and the water and suds, Wind-Up Wonder will be one of their favorite activities. When they hear that water running, they’ll remember all the fun they had. They’ll remember that the wind-up toys will eventually come out to play.

Step

1

Purchase and prep

You can find these wind-up toys reasonably priced across the Internet, so order one, two, or a few. You might check your local pet supply store if you want the wind-ups sooner rather than later. The next time you yourself take a bath, test the toys out and be sure they’re working properly.

Step

2

Introduce the toys

After you check to see if the wind-up toys work, introduce the toys to your doggo outside of bath time. This way, they’re used to the little sound that the wind-ups make. Your pup will grow to know the buzzing noise and will understand that it’s meant to be playful. This is all about fun, after all!

Step

3

Wind-up time

You may decide to bathe your fur child first and then reward them with a game of Wind-Up Wonder. But you know what’s best, so give this activity a whirl whenever you’re ready! All you do is wind the toys up and let them run through the water. Allow your pup to splash and play as they try to catch the toy. This is best played outside, especially if you have a larger dog. That probably goes without saying.

More Fun Ideas...

Ice Cube Chase

Drop some ice cubes in the water as you’re filling up the kiddie pool, tub, or sink. Your pup will have fun chasing the cubes in the water. It’s a challenge for sure!

Off and On

Surprise your pup with a game of hide-n-seek. Turn the water on and off again. They’ll enjoy trying to figure out where the water is coming from and attempting to catch the stream of water when it reappears.

Conclusion

There is a lot of fun to be had in the tub if you own one of those rare bath-loving dogs. Play with them at bath time, and they’ll love baths even more than they already do. If you have a puppy on your hands, you might get them used to baths by playing with them like this. Soon, your fur child might be running toward the restroom each time they hear the faucet turn on!